(Wisconsin Ag Connection) A recent proposal by a state Assembly committee that could end up lifting the ban on Wisconsin land sales to foreign buyers will apparently move forward.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, last week, Republican members of the Committee on Organization voted to request an opinion by the state attorney general's office on the 127-year ban on foreign ownership of more than 642 acres of land, which was established in the General Agreement on Trade in Services treaty. But Reps. Andy Jorgensen of Milton and Amy Sue Vruwink from Milladore attempted unsuccessfully on Tuesday to overturn the panel's actions through a resolution in the full Assembly.Governor Scott Walker had proposed ending the ban in his budget last year, but the provision did not survive the legislative process.Jorgensen says the idea of allowing international buyers to purchase large parcels of rural property to the highest bidder will end up endangering Wisconsin's farming tradition and other natural resources. He also criticized committee members for passing the measure without a public hearing.The Assembly will now wait for an opinion from the Attorney General before taking any further actions.